Clinical research coordinator

[Akeos]

I was wondering if any could tell me what a nursing clinical research coordinator does, and what kind of interview questions would you expect them to ask for that position?

Thanks!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I have a general impression of the job only. I believe they would research evidence based practice and maybe write policies based on that data. They might also conduct studies. I would expect your qualifications would include your level of education (probably MSN and higher is required for writing grants and publishing in certain journals). Your actual nursing experience would be considered. If you already have any knowledge of doing research that would be a plus. Good luck and let us know. Ask for a job description ahead of time if possible.

[Hoozdo, ADN]

i was able to obtain the following job description, but the interview is not predicatable. best of luck!

position summary:

coordinates and conducts research protocols in a manner that ensures quality, consistency, timeliness, accuracy and patient safety.

primary functions:- establishes and maintains frequent face-to-face, written and telephone contact with various persons involved in the study, including but not limited to the subjects, relatives/friends of the subjects, doctors, pharmaceutical sponsors, pharmacists and all levels of research centers staff.

- functions in the role of lead or co-lead on studies as assigned

- identifies, evaluates and recruits qualified potential subjects for the clinical research study assigned

- becomes thoroughly familiar with the protocol, case report form, informed consent, source documentation, patient diary (when applicable), and study medication(s) for the assigned research study

- distributes copies of protocol to study staff, including investigators

- coordinates and conducts pre-study, initiation, monitoring and close-out visits with the pharmaceutical representative, including completion of minutes and follow-up reports

- performs appropriate research protocol procedures which may include, but are not limited to: vital signs, pregnancy tests, intravenous catheter insertion (if license permits), blood collection and processing, ecgs, alcohol breath tests and pain assessments

- performs basic lab procedures, such as: blood specimen collection, centrifuge operation, storing and shipping of lab specimens, accountability of specimens and notification of courier for specimen pick-ups

- dispenses appropriate investigational medication to each study participant per protocol instructions

- assists and supports the anesthesiologist, surgeons and other team members before, during and after surgical procedures

- ensures smooth and efficient day-to-day functioning of the surgical suite

- administers emergency medical care as directed by the study investigator

other responsibilities:

- applies or changes wound dressing as needed

- may be required to perform wound closures

- maintains current professional license

- all other projects as assigned

education/skill/experience requirements:

key skills:

- excellent communication skills (interpersonal, written, verbal)

- strong attention to detail

- excellent time management skills

- basic computer skills

- ability to obtain crc certification within one year

- demonstrated knowledge of “good clinical practices” preferred

experience:

- prior experience in clinical drug research

- minimum two years nursing experience preferred

education or certification:

- current rn license

- cpr certification preferred

- acls certification (preferred)

[Akeos]

Thank you! I applied for the job months ago, and they just called me in for an interview, but the job posting had already been taken down.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I am an essentially a CRC. I work with PIs in helping studies get through the IRB process. I write up inclusion/exclusion criteria for IRB approval. I help write up study guidelines for PI approval (I do NOT have anything to do with the actual protocol submission or the creation of the consent). I screen patients daily for eligibility and approach them/speak to them about the various studies and then go through the consent process with them. I am responsible for data collection, as well as sample collection (that might be blood, urine, stool, tracheal aspirate, breastmilk). I do lots of paperwork.

Oh, and you don't need a Master's degree to be a CRC. Most just require that you have an RN. I only have an ADN (am working on my BSN, though). You don't publish as a CRC, that's for the PI. You just do all the work and get none of the glory. :) And the PIs generally write their own grants, or have grant writers (all the PIs I work with write their own, though).

[FORTHELOVEOF!!!!]

I worked as a CRC several years ago in a smaller company, I'm not an RN, many weren't, some were registered dieticians too. This company would train the right people after putting you in an "assistant CRC" role. Basically you screen patients by phone for drug studies and then bring them in for further screening if they pass the phone screen. Their is a long consent process which an RN or doctor did, then bloodwork, urine test, and other testing relevant to the study. The patients would come in as scheduled for labs and further dosing (injections or to pick up a new bottle.) They would also see the Study doctor periodically (however often the study required and whenever the patient had questions. The paperwork is tedious and must be perfect, everything the patient complains of must be documented "oh, you stubbed your toe last week?" Yea, document it. It was a pretty sweet gig, you get a little patient interaction along with the desk work part of the job and quite a bit of freedom.